March 26, 2002

Saints Trade Roaf, Sign Folau

The Saints have officially completed a trade that sends veteran left tackle Willie Roaf to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a conditional draft pick.

The Saints will receive the Chiefs' 4th round pick in 2003, but could receive their 3rd round selection depending on Roaf's performance for the Chiefs this upcoming season.

The final stumbling block to complete to deal was Roaf's contract renegotiation. The Chiefs and Roaf's agent had been working very hard for the past week to reach terms of a new contract with Roaf. Roaf was due a $4 million salary bonus on March 20, but the Saints and Roaf agreed to extend the deadline for that payment until Monday night, March 25. The Chiefs and Roaf finally agreed to a new six-year contract Monday night.

The Saints now plan to move former first round draft pick Kyle Turley from right to left tackle. Turley played left tackle at San Diego State University.

Tackle Spencer Folau, who was on the 2000 Ravens championship team and started at left tackle last season for the Dolphins, signed a two-year deal with the Saints. Folau, 6'5", 315 pounds, a native of Tonga, a small island country chain in the south Pacific, will be 29 years old on April 5.

Folau started at left tackle for the Dolphins last season after the Dolphins lost their first two starting left tackles to injury. Folau is expected to compete for the starting right tackle job.